Major development plans for Matara

Nethali Struys

Major development plans are afoot to develop the Matara District initiated by the Matara District Secretariat office, said Matara District Secretary W.K.K. Athukorala.

She said that the development which has taken place for the last few years and the development that is taking place at the moment, was being done systematically in view of sustainable development.

She said that discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa last December had led to all these progressive measures.

Ever since, discussions and evaluations have been taking place every ten days which has led to the development that has taken place in Matara.

Matara Anagarika Dharmapala Mawata was being broadened and all compensation on land have been settled by now, she said. This road would be developed with modern technology and also with colour lights.

The Secretary pointed out that one of the main needs Matara had, was a community conference hall and now steps were being taken to build a hall at Nilwala Riverbank. This would be done along with riverbank development and conservation measures which were taking place at the moment.

Further, the beach area would be conserved and developed into a beach park. Steps have been also taken to conserve the Matara Dutch Fort and developed with a view to attract tourists.

She further said that the current bus stand was short of space which had led to many problems and destruction by parking on either sides of the road. A new bus parking space too would be set-up in Browns Hill area as a solution.

A maternity and children's ward with all facilities will be set-up in Kotawilla as an extension of the current hospital. A special project was been carried out to recycle wastage at a cost of Rs 200 million in Kotawilla.

A nine acre land was being used for this purpose. She pointed out that garbage had been a huge problem and this new project would be a good investment.

A sum of Rs 500 million have been invested by the Economic Development Ministry for the purpose of carpeting the roads. Further, under the Divineguma Housing Project, 650 Gramaseva Divisions have benefited.

Most of the public servants in the area were doing their part in "Api wawamu rata nagamu" by growing vegetables in their gardens, to make it a successes, she added.